How to Use LinkedIn’s New Facebook-Like Mentions Feature

Keeping up with all of the changes on every social media network can be a full-time job. It’s easy to miss the latest redesigns and features; not to mention trying to employ the best methods of utilization to continue developing relationships and expanding your network.

With over 200 million users, LinkedIn members are some of most connected and conversational professionals online. This week, LinkedIn announced via its company blog that similar to Facebook, Twitter and Google+, users can now tag their LinkedIn connections in status updates.

“We’re excited to introduce a new way for you to engage with your network through the ability to mention your connections and companies in conversations on LinkedIn,” the company said in a blog post.

Here’s how to start utilizing the mentions feature:

To mention an individual or brand, start by typing the name in the status update box or comment field. A drop-down menu will appear with the names of those that you’re connected to; once selected, you can then craft your messaging.

The best part about this new feature is the alert you’ll receive when you or your brand is mentioned.

The latest feature also works with Twitter. If your Twitter account is linked with your LinkedIn account, the mentions in your status updates will transfer over to Twitter easily.

These new features provide a great resource to LinkedIn users. So what are you waiting for? Go play tag!

S. Lynn Cooper is a Washington, DC-based digital strategist and communications expert. Cooper is the founder and director of Socially Ahead, a strategic communications agency that specializes in the creation of social and digital strategies and campaign management. Follow her on Twitter at @sociallyahead.